“Better to light one candle then curse the darkness”; wise words that have resonated through the ages. Candle-making has a fascinating history.
One can trace something resembling candles (fatty fuel ignited for illumination) back to ancient Egypt. However, a cluster of reeds dipped in melted animal fat (later called tallow) and ignited was more torch than candle. Although various civilizations and cultures, China and India among others, likely used recognizable forms of candles, the Romans are credited for introduction of the wick. They used candles for home illumination, lighting the way for night travel and use in ceremonial rituals.
Candles have had various ceremonial uses marking important events and been a part of rituals in many religions. The Advent candle marks the days until Christmas. The shamas is the extra candle used to light the eight candles of the Menorah. Candles have been used in remembrance of the departed and to celebrate joyous occasions…How many candles will be on your birthday cake this year? ; )
Candles have been used to mark the passage of time, so called, “clock candles”. These had markings for the hours, or longer intervals. Of course, they were very inaccurate since type of wax and drafts would affect the burn rate. An ingenious “alarm clock” was assembled by pushing a heavy nail into the side of such a candle, and when the wax melted to that level, the nail fell clattering to the metal pan beneath.
Tallow, although inexpensive and easy to produce, burns with a smoky flame and foul odor. Other waxy substances were tried over time such as beeswax and bayberries. Beeswax burns cleanly and with a pleasant fragrance, but is expensive and time-consuming to produce. Beeswax became limited primarily to church and the upper classes. Bayberry wax burns cleanly and with a distinctive scent, but was very difficult to produce in quantity. Their use is now limited almost exclusively to a fragrance addition to candles. One of the more interesting sources of candle wax was spermaceti. It is a waxy substance that is collected from the heads of sperm whales. Spermaceti became popular in the 1800’s. It also became the official unit of candlepower; one standard spermaceti candle (a measure of light intensity). The production of kerosene put the whale oil industry out of business (thank goodness!).
Candle wax has evolved through introduction of paraffin (a petroleum derivative) soy and palm oil. Each has defining characteristics that make them a choice for specific purposes and environments. Palm oil is the wax of choice for LightWorks Candles. It burns slowly, cleanly, and is odorless. A variety of intriguing scents can be added to personalize your candles.
Candles have enjoyed a resurgence of popularity since the early 1990’s. They are used to illuminate celebrations, provide a romantic aura for special occasions, reduce stress with carefully chosen fragrances, and produce a warm and glowing ambience in our homes.
Pictured: The oldest surviving bees wax candles north of the Alps from the alamannic graveyard of Oberflacht, Germany dating to 6th/7th century A.D.
One can trace something resembling candles (fatty fuel ignited for illumination) back to ancient Egypt. However, a cluster of reeds dipped in melted animal fat (later called tallow) and ignited was more torch than candle. Although various civilizations and cultures, China and India among others, likely used recognizable forms of candles, the Romans are credited for introduction of the wick. They used candles for home illumination, lighting the way for night travel and use in ceremonial rituals.
Candles have had various ceremonial uses marking important events and been a part of rituals in many religions. The Advent candle marks the days until Christmas. The shamas is the extra candle used to light the eight candles of the Menorah. Candles have been used in remembrance of the departed and to celebrate joyous occasions…How many candles will be on your birthday cake this year? ; )
Candles have been used to mark the passage of time, so called, “clock candles”. These had markings for the hours, or longer intervals. Of course, they were very inaccurate since type of wax and drafts would affect the burn rate. An ingenious “alarm clock” was assembled by pushing a heavy nail into the side of such a candle, and when the wax melted to that level, the nail fell clattering to the metal pan beneath.
Tallow, although inexpensive and easy to produce, burns with a smoky flame and foul odor. Other waxy substances were tried over time such as beeswax and bayberries. Beeswax burns cleanly and with a pleasant fragrance, but is expensive and time-consuming to produce. Beeswax became limited primarily to church and the upper classes. Bayberry wax burns cleanly and with a distinctive scent, but was very difficult to produce in quantity. Their use is now limited almost exclusively to a fragrance addition to candles. One of the more interesting sources of candle wax was spermaceti. It is a waxy substance that is collected from the heads of sperm whales. Spermaceti became popular in the 1800’s. It also became the official unit of candlepower; one standard spermaceti candle (a measure of light intensity). The production of kerosene put the whale oil industry out of business (thank goodness!).
Candle wax has evolved through introduction of paraffin (a petroleum derivative) soy and palm oil. Each has defining characteristics that make them a choice for specific purposes and environments. Palm oil is the wax of choice for LightWorks Candles. It burns slowly, cleanly, and is odorless. A variety of intriguing scents can be added to personalize your candles.
Candles have enjoyed a resurgence of popularity since the early 1990’s. They are used to illuminate celebrations, provide a romantic aura for special occasions, reduce stress with carefully chosen fragrances, and produce a warm and glowing ambience in our homes.
Pictured: The oldest surviving bees wax candles north of the Alps from the alamannic graveyard of Oberflacht, Germany dating to 6th/7th century A.D.
